14 DAY TRIAL // In between making some huge announcements at its E3 2011 conference, Sony has also taken the time to deploy a brand new firmware update for the PlayStation 3 home console, taking it to version 3.65.
Unlike the previous 3.61 update, which was mandatory in order to force users to change their PSN passwords after the recent hacking suffered by the online network, update 3.65 is optional, according to Sony.
This hasn't really been something the company did, but users should no doubt install it in order to make sure they're running the newest software available on their home console.
"Earlier tonight we released an optional system software update (v3.65) for PlayStation 3," Sony Network Entertainment Vice President Eric Lempel said on the PlayStation Blog. "This new firmware improves the operating stability of some PS3 format software, and changes the XMB item SaveData Utility (minis) to [SaveData Utility(minis/PSP)]."
The software update is completely optional, meaning it won't force PS3 owners to update if they want to access the PlayStation Store or other parts of the PlayStation Network online service.
If you do want to get the new firmware for the PS3, it can be downloaded by selecting the System Update option from the Settings column of the XMB menu.
PlayStation Network users shouldn't forget about the special Welcome Back program currently being run by Sony, which allows them to get two free games for the PS3 and PSP, out of a special choice of titles, as well as get a free 30-day membership into the PlayStation Plus subscription service, in order to check out the very special features that are given to paying members.
The PlayStation 3 3.65 firmware update is now available for download if you have your home console connected to the web and use the procedure highlighted above to get and install the new software.
Expect a bigger update to be deployed in the following months, with Sony trying to strengthen the security of its home console in the wake of the hacker attack.